DeckConstruct Forums

Creatures
Guul Draz Assassin X4
Vampire Nighthawk x4
Gatekeeper of Malakir x4
Vampire Noctornus x4
Vampire Hexmage x4
Captivating vampire x4
[24]

Removal
Urge to Feed x2
Tendrils of Corruption x4
[6]

Support
Basilisk Collar x3
Sign in blood
[3]

Land
Verdant Catacombs x4
Marsh Flats x4
Swamp x15

Sideboard
Black Knight

After the first vampire deck I played I wanted to see if I could get a new one going with Noctornus dropping out of standard soon. So this is what I came up with. The main aggression of the deck is getting the vampires bigger and swinging. I'm not overly worried about defense as I'm trying to ensure a basilisk collar coming out early to get some nice life swing in the mix for the game. I was debating putting in more of a life-gaining swing to make it so I never need to defend but I'm thinking between lifelink and deathtouch I'll be okay.

I did notice a few of the combos, such as the new Vampire Aristocrat in the form of Bloodthrone Vampire. I'm debating swinging out another three drop in exchange for more vampires that sacrifice other vampires in order to pump their power.

This also gave me the idea that maybe running the eight of them in a deck with Blade of the Bloodcheif and four Abyssal Persecutors would be fun. A very early 6/6 Flying swinger followed by a vampire that' already a 4/4 if you sacrifice the Persecutor. Haven't figured out if I want to use this yet but I have an idea forming I'll post later.

This also leads me to question, do Tokens ever hit the graveyard? So if I use the token generator, sacrifice him, and then sacrifice the token and I have the bloodthrone vampire out with blade of the bloodchief on him, do I get +2/+2 for the first sacrifice and gain 2 +1/+1 counters, and then gain another +2/+2 for the sacrifice of the token, and another 2 +1/+1 counters. Or do I only get a single instance of 2 +1/+1 counters and a +4/+4 bonus for the ability?

Yes tokens do hit the graveyard and trigger effects that look at the graveyard (though they vanish immediately afterward as they don't exist in that zone). So you would get your counters though I am not sure that makes the blade worth playing. If you are set on playing the blade you may want to look into triskelion which is pretty sweet equipped with a blade.

Are you trying to build a core of a deck for next season standard? If so why are you running tendrils? If not then why are you not running nocturnus?

The whole sacrifice concept seems nice but lacks a lot of power in what it can actually do. You don't have enough token generators to get enough to sac for scary bloodthrone vampire beats and counting on captivating vampire to steal things is difficult (having five vamps that can tap on the field should amount to victory already). Why would you even sacrifice the stolen creature as you have it permanently? The other cardinal sin that I see this deck committing is not running is vampire nighthawk as it is always amazing (even if it just takes a bolt to the face).

The nighthawk is a great addon and it is kind of dumb that I left him out. He slipped my mind. That would help with what to do with the token spawner slot. I was thinking of trying to build a standard deck post Scars but I guess the idea broke when it came to removal because I don't know what is in scars. Now I'm buildilng this deck more towards the current standard. Check the changes in the main thread as that's where I'm going to make them.

I'm having issues with my creature mana curve. I want to put in pulse trackers to have a one drop creature other then the assassin. He would still be okay later game if I have the basilisk collar as he makes a good swing guy with deathtouch. But I wouldn't know what to switch and even if that were a good idea.

Also browncoat, since your on, got time for an MWS game?

You could always put in my favorite vampire one-drop instead of pulsetracker: vampire lacerator. Then you with a low curve you can run dark tutelage for drawing. Nighthawk even helps offset the lifeloss from the tutelage. I think everyone who thinks tutelage sucks is completely crazy, sure it is not dark confidant but it is harder to kill.

I am not sure about running the captivating vampire as it is not that great. While it is a lord, its ability will almost never work/be needed. I would at least consider running the tutelage in its place though that is a personal opinion and can understand not playing it.